Boca Raton Resident has Olympic Dreams

BOCA RATON — Boca Raton resident Mariangela Macchiavello has a simple goal – to represent Peru in the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara this October.

The Florida International University star moves like a mermaid in the water. “In the water I feel free,” says Macchiavelo, 20. “No matter if it is five in the morning or six in the afternoon.”

The young student’s goal is not only to represent Peru in the Pan-American games, but to be only the fourth swimmer in the history of Peru to represent the country in the 2012 Olympics in London.

Macchiavelo has been swimming since the age of 6 in Peru, but at 13, she took time off from the sport until she was 17.

Boca Raton Resident Mariangela Macchiavello, swims during her training session at the Florida International University swimming pool

Despite being away for four years, she was named captain and most valuable player of her high school swimming team from 2006 to 2008.

“She’s very talented, but still has much potential to grow,” said the head coach of the FIU swimming, Randy Horner. “She has a natural talent for water and that’s not taught.”

Macchiavello has clear goals and a busy schedule, but she still finds time to be with her parents Sophia and Andres at their Boca Raton home, “Whenever I have free time, I visit my parents. They have always been supportive of me. I talk to them every day; they are my best friends,” she said.

Sofia Macchiavello, meanwhile, highlights the efforts of her daughter to excel both in studies and in sport.

“Unlike many girls her age, Mariangela make a daily sacrifice,” says her mother. “She trains at five in the morning, goes to school, and trains more after school. She still maintains an average GPA of 3.3. She is very dedicated to the sport and to her career”.